ugging herself, shivering violently. The silence of the penthouse was deafening. At the end of the corridor, she c

k had begun to blister, the physical imprint of

real voice. Someone to tell

handbag. She dialed the number she knew by heart sin

d. "Estella? Do you

iness, yet also held a sharp edge. A sur

g back finally broke free, and she choked out, "

no gasp of shock Estella had anticipated. No terrified denial. Onl

kissing her. In our bedroom.

voice had changed. Clear. Sober.

adult now. Stop cr

suddenly choking in

sighed, her voice crackling through the receiver.

he sat heavily on the edge of the bed, the mattress cr

ad were meant to be together. You've always been just a transition

ting like ashes in her mouth. "You made me mar

fulfilled your duty to this family. The Lowes needed a marriage allia

burning, nauseating rage within her. "He cheated o

expect, Estella? You're not funny at all. You don't have Jana's drive, nor her bea

She could almost feel the sting on her che

ad's financial support. Jana needs this marriage to solidify her soci

he meals she had cooked, and all the money she had given Doug without hesitation. S

da commanded. "Don't have any other thoughts. Ta

ow, fragile laugh. "You want me t

've never worked a day in your life. You should be grateful for anything he can

all e

r phone. The reflection in her eyes was

r help, but her mother p

n emotion only worthy of when one has lost something of value. And her family, she now understood, had never truly belonged to her from the beginning. A strange calm enveloped her. The

woman in the mirror looked broken and shattered, but Estella fe

e will no longer beg. She

mpty room. "If I have no famil